first aid for cats and dogs

If this is a life-threatening medical emergency, don’t wait. Please contact your local emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Basic first aid can help you contain injuries and prevent your panicked pet from doing more damage to themselves on the way to emergency veterinary care. 

Basic animal first aid can help your pet on the way to emergency care

Maybe your dog got into an accident, your cat was in a fight, or your pet was nicked during grooming. No matter how it happened, it’s time to see the vet.

Stay calm and be safe so you can help your pet

You can help your pet by staying calm and taking quick action.

1. Focus on gentle words and movements
   Injuries and accidents can be stressful. Try to reassure your hurt and frightened pet.
   
   
2. Get to a safe place to help your pet
   Make sure you are out of the way of traffic or other potential for injury as you help your pet.
   
   
3. Prevent bites from scared pets
   Animals can be aggressive when scared or in pain. If you don’t have a muzzle, make one from soft cloth to prevent bites.
   
   
4. Get help from people nearby
   If there’s someone nearby, have them help you hold your pet so you can focus on finding and assessing the injury.
   
   
5. Call your local emergency veterinary hospital
   Emergency veterinary hospitals are ERs for pets and specialize in urgent care. Call ahead if you can — this helps them prep for your arrival in advance.
   
   
6. Get your pet to emergency care
   Get your pet veterinary care as quickly and safely as possible. Some areas even offer pet ambulance services — check with your local emergency vet to see if one is available.

How to use a pet first aid kit for wounds

If you have a first aid kit on hand, grab it now. If you don’t have a kit or medical gauze available, a clean T-shirt or towel will work too.

1. Safely restrain your pet
   Make sure you are not in physical danger as you help your pet. If your pet is aggressive, use a soft cloth to tie their mouth closed so they cannot bite.
   
   
2. Find the wound and apply pressure to help stop the bleeding
   Speak softly as you locate the wound. Then use something clean and absorbent — first aid gauze, bandages, a towel, or a T-shirt all work — to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
   
   
3. Wrap the wound and seek veterinary care
   Keep applying pressure while you get your pet to the vet. If your pet has severe wounds or broken bones, go straight to your closest emergency veterinary hospital.
   
   
4. Wash your hands well after touching pets and wounds
   Always wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after caring for sick or injured pets — they need you to stay healthy!
   
   
5. Watch wounds for signs of infection after treatment
   Pet skin heals quickly, which can trap bacteria and other infectious materials under the skin and create an abscess. Unusual heat, redness, or swelling may indicate infection that needs veterinary care.

Seek emergency care for rat poison or other pet poisons

Poisoning can be fatal, so don’t wait. Seek immediate emergency veterinary care and advice if you spot signs and symptoms that may indicate poison, like coughing, choking, labored breathing, unusual slobber or foam, dilated pupils, and seizures or difficulty walking.

1. Call your local emergency veterinary hospital
   Let them know to expect you so they can be better prepared to help your pet.
   
   
2. Call the Pet Poison Helpline
   For immediate advice, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680. For an incident fee, the Pet Poison Helpline can supply initial information on how to help dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, birds, small mammals, large animals, and exotic species. See more at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

Seek urgent care for unconscious pets

An unconscious pet is in immediate medical danger. Promptly call your emergency veterinary hospital. They will ask important questions and guide you on immediate actions to take.

Follow all instructions from emergency care.

1. Call your local emergency veterinary hospital
   Emergency veterinary hospitals can guide you with time-urgent first aid.
   
   
2. If instructed, check your pet’s airway for blockages
   Tip your pet’s head back, open their mouth, and check the airway for a blockage. Be extremely careful and follow all instructions from your ER team. Your pet could easily bite you if they regain consciousness quickly.
   
   
3. Check for breathing
   Watch your pet’s chest to see if it rises or falls. If they’re still breathing, get them to immediate emergency care.
   
   
4. Check for a heartbeat
   With your pet lying on their right side, find the spot where their left elbow touches their chest. Check for movement or place your hand there to feel for a heartbeat.
   
   If you cannot feel a heartbeat, you may be instructed to perform chest compressions. Follow all directions. The general rule is 30 compressions, then a pause to assess your pet’s condition.
   
   
5. Get your pet to help as soon as possible
   As quickly and safely as you can, get your pet to help. Some areas even offer pet ambulance services — check with your local emergency vet to see if one is available.

When to seek veterinary care for seizures

If you suspect poison has caused your pet’s seizures, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

If you do not suspect poison, it may help to know that pet seizures are not always life-threatening. Try to stay calm. Make sure your pet is in a safe place where they cannot hurt themselves or others.

If you can, record how long the seizure lasts and try to record a video of the seizure so your vet can see exactly what occurred. Contact your veterinary team for advice and follow all directions to help your pet.

No emergency vet available?

If you live in a rural area, it’s possible there isn’t an emergency vet nearby. First, do your best to stay calm. If your pet is injured and you’ve prepared a pet first aid kit, now’s the time to use it. Make it a habit to periodically brush up on basic at-home care for wounds, choking, and CPR.

If you’re unsure of how to best help your pet, you can use an online vet assistance tool, such as Pet Chat™. Here, you connect with real veterinary professionals — anytime, anywhere — to help make informed healthcare decisions about your pet.

Download more about bandages, splints, and slings

Download more about abrasions and lacerations

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Pet urgent care advice

Call any local Banfield during hospital hours for advice. Depending on your pet's needs, we can provide a referral for local emergency hospitals or specialty providers. During non-hospital hours, please contact your local veterinary emergency hospital. Find a Banfield near you

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